1.Exploring Therapeutic Mechanism of Xihuang Wan for Hyperplasia of Mammary Glands Based on Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Cell Experiments
Junliang WANG ; Peihua LIANG ; Xueli MA ; Juanxia SUN ; Tao HAN ; Yongmei LAN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2026;32(4):41-49
ObjectiveTo study the therapeutic mechanism of Xihuang Wan for hyperplasia of mammary glands based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cell experiments. MethodsThe active ingredients and targets of Xihuang Wan were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP) and A Bioinformatics Annotation daTabase for Molecular mechANism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM) and supplemented by searching against PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction. The targets of differential metabolites in tissues and urine were obtained from previous metabolomics studies through PubChem and Swiss Target Prediction. GeneCards, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), PharmGKB, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), Drunbank were searched for the targets of hyperplasia of mammary glands. After the common targets were obtained via Veeny2.1.0, the STRING database was used to analyze the protein-protein interactions, and Cytoscape was used for the core target analysis and visualization. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were employed for enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was carried out in Autodock, and cell experiments were conducted to verify the prediction results. In the cell experiments, estradiol and progesterone (E2+P) were used to intervene in human mammary epithelial/MCF-10A cells, and thus the MCF-10A cell proliferation model was established. The cells were then treated with Xihuang Wan-medicated serum. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to measure the cell proliferation, and flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis. The mRNA and protein levels of key factors in MCF-10A cells were determined by real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. ResultsThe results of network pharmacology showed that 90 active ingredients and 316 common targets were obtained, from which 20 core targets and 38 corresponding active ingredients were screened out. The results of GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that Xihuang Wan exerted effect against hyperplasia of mammary glands by regulating a variety of biological processes, which may be related to protein kinase B (Akt)-related molecular functions, estrogen signaling pathway, prolactin signaling pathway and other biological processes. The results of molecular docking showed that estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), serine/threonine kinase 1 (Akt1), non-receptor tyrosine kinase (SRC), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) all had strong binding activity with the nine active ingredients, suggesting that Xihuang Wan exert the effect through the ESR1/SRC/phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway and the Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT3 signaling pathway. The results of cell experiments showed that E2+P intervention in MCF-10A cells promoted the proliferation of MCF-10A cells (P<0.05), while the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum inhibited the proliferation of MCF-10A cells exposed to E2+P (P<0.05). Flow cytometry showed that the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum promoted the apoptosis of MCF-10A cells exposed to E2+P (P<0.01). The results of Real-time PCR showed that the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum down-regulated the mRNA levels of PI3K, Akt, JAK2, and STAT3 in MCF-10A cells treated with E2+P (P<0.01). The results of Western blot showed that the Xihuang Wan-medicated serum inhibited the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K, p-Akt/Akt, p-JAK2/JAK2, and p-STAT3/STAT3 in MCF-10A cells treated with E2+P (P<0.05). ConclusionXihuang Wan may exert the effect against hyperplasia of mammary glands by inhibiting the proliferation and promoting the apoptosis of MCF-10A cells, which may related to the inhibition of the activation of PI3K/Akt and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways.
2.A systematic review on the integrated application of evidence-based narrative education and undergraduate nursing teaching
Nannan BAI ; Meng LI ; Qian LIANG ; Chou YAO ; Yan WANG ; Ju HAN ; Chenyang HOU ; Nana XING
Chinese Medical Ethics 2026;39(2):229-237
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the application of narrative education in undergraduate nursing teaching, to understand the current application status of narrative education, and to provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent establishment of a sound narrative education system. MethodsA systematic search was conducted for studies published in Chinese and English databases on applying narrative education to undergraduate nursing teaching, with the search period ranging from database inception to February 23, 2025. Literature was screened, and relevant information was extracted. A rigorous quality evaluation was conducted on the included studies, and a descriptive analysis was performed on their content. ResultsA total of 20 papers were included, involving 3,180 research subjects, all of whom were undergraduate nursing students. The results of descriptive analysis showed that the teaching model of narrative education primarily encompassed reading narrative works, watching films and videos, performing narrative scenarios, and writing reflective journals. The course setting and content covered pre-teaching preparation and in-teaching implementation. The evaluation of teaching effectiveness included the evaluation of teachers’ teaching methods (student evaluation/self-evaluation) and the evaluation of students’ learning effectiveness (course grade evaluation/humanistic care scale/empathy scale assessment, and others). ConclusionNarrative education combines abstract concepts with concrete clinical situations, which not only enriches students’ learning experiences but also enhances their humanistic literacy. Meanwhile, it provides teachers with opportunities to develop their narrative teaching skills, which requires them to possess profound professional knowledge and employ narrative techniques to guide students in reflection and critical thinking, thereby improving teaching quality and learning outcomes. Future efforts should consistently deepen the connotation research of narrative education and build a systematic nursing education system.
3.Expert consensus on clinical application of parenteral direct thrombin inhibitors in perioperative period
Mingyu JIANG ; Yuan BIAN ; Lizhu HAN ; Qinan YIN ; Fengjiao KANG ; Anhua WEI ; Danjie ZHAO ; Lin WANG ; Ying SHAO ; Li TANG ; Yi WANG ; Shuhong LIANG ; Huijuan LIU ; Guirong XIAO ; Yue LI
China Pharmacy 2026;37(6):689-699
OBJECTIVE To form an expert consensus on the clinical application of parenteral direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs) in patients during the perioperative period. METHODS Led by Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People’s Hospital (the Affiliated Hospital of UESTC), a multidisciplinary working group was established. Through literature review and the Delphi method, clinical questions related to the rational perioperative use of parenteral DTIs were identified. A structured design was adopted using the “Population-Intervention-Comparison-Outcome” framework; systematic searches were conducted in CNKI, Medline, Embase and other databases. Relevant evidence from randomized controlled trials and cohort studies was included and synthesized. Evidence quality was assessed using the Grades of Recommendations Assessment,Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, and recommendations were formulated through multiple rounds of Delphi surveys and expert consensus meetings. RESULTS &CONCLUSIONS Seven recommendations (each with an expert consensus rate exceeding 90%) on the use of parenteral DTIs in perioperative patients were developed. These recommendations specify drug selection, dosing ranges, key monitoring points, and safety management strategies for parenteral DTIs in various scenarios, including the perioperative period of ventricular assist device implantation, the perioperative period of cardiac surgery, perioperative patients with lower-extremity atherosclerotic disease, the perioperative period of percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute coronary syndrome, the perioperative period of carotid artery stenting in patients with carotid stenosis, the perioperative period of patients with right heart thrombosis, and patients who develop related thrombosis and dysfunction after a central venous catheter insertion. In addition, warning and management pathways for perioperative bleeding and thrombotic events were proposed. This expert consensus, which is formulated based on the best available evidence, provides evidence-based guidance for standardized and individualized use of parenteral DTIs in perioperative period.
4.Effects of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on functional brain activity in patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness: A randomized controlled trial protocol using functional near-infrared spectroscopy and electroencephalography
Huan OUYANG ; Yifei WANG ; Ying HAN ; Jinling ZHANG ; Liang LI ; Chen XIN ; Jianghong HE ; Peijing RONG
Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2026;4(2):181-187
Background: Advances in intensive care have markedly improved survival after severe brain injury, leading to a growing population of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDOC). Current management of pDOC remains largely supportive, and evidence-based neuromodulatory interventions are limited; moreover, existing guidelines provide insufficiently explicit recommendations regarding mechanisms of action and objective biomarkers of treatment response. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) has emerged as a potential noninvasive intervention; however, its modulatory effects on brain function in pDOC are not yet well characterized, and the paucity of integrative mechanistic evidence has constrained its translation into routine clinical practice. Objectives: Within a multimodal assessment framework, this study aims to systematically elucidate the neurobiological mechanisms by which taVNS modulates brain function and autonomic activity in patients with pDOC, and to evaluate its clinical potential to enhance levels of consciousness. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 60 patients with vegetative state/minimally conscious state will be enrolled and randomly allocated to a taVNS group, a transcutaneous nonauricular vagus nerve stimulation group (sham), or a control group (n = 20 per group) for a 4-week intervention. The primary outcome will be changes in the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised scores from baseline to weeks 1, 2, and 4 of treatment. Secondary outcomes will include functional brain activity assessed by electroencephalography and functional near-infrared spectroscopy, as well as autonomic modulation indexed by heart rate variability. Functional prognosis will be evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended at the end of treatment and at a 6-month follow-up. Safety will be assessed by continuous monitoring and documentation of adverse events throughout the study period. Results and discussion: By integrating electroencephalography–functional near-infrared spectroscopy with heart rate variability, this study will characterize the effects of taVNS on functional brain networks and consciousness recovery in pDOC across complementary behavioral, electrophysiological, hemodynamic, and autonomic domains, while interrogating potential sources of clinical and neurobiological heterogeneity. The findings are expected to provide a mechanistic and evidence-based foundation for the mechanism-driven clinical implementation of taVNS and the optimization of stimulation protocols in pDOC. Clinical trial registration: International Traditional Medicine Clinical Trial Registry, ITMCTR20250021041, https://itmctr.ccebtcm.org.cn.
5.Mid- and long-term efficacy of mitral valve plasty versus replacement in the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation: A 10-year single-center outcome
Hanqing LIANG ; Qiaoli WAN ; Tao WEI ; Rui LI ; Zhipeng GUO ; Jian ZHANG ; Zongtao YIN ; Jinsong HAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(01):108-113
Objective To compare the mid- and long-term clinical results of mitral valve plasty (MVP) and mitral valve replacement (MVR) in the treatment of functional mitral regurgitation (FMR). Methods Patients with FMR who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from 2012 to 2021 were collected. The patients who underwent MVP were divided into a MVP group, and those who underwent MVR into a MVR group. The clinical data and mid-term follow-up efficacy of two groups were compared. Results Finally 236 patients were included. There were 100 patients in the MVP group, including 53 males and 47 females, with an average age of (61.80±8.03) years. There were 136 patients in the MVR group, including 72 males and 64 females, with an average age of (61.29±8.97) years. There was no statistical difference in baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no statistical difference between the two groups in the extracorporeal circulation time, aortic occlusion time, postoperative hospital and ICU stay, intraoperative blood loss, or hospitalization death (P>0.05), but the time of mechanical ventilation in the MVP group was significantly shorter than that in the MVR group (P=0.022). The total follow-up rate was 100.0%, the longest follow-up was 10 years, and the average follow-up time was (3.60±2.55) years. There were statistical differences in the left atrial diameter, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter and cardiac function between the two groups compared with those before surgery (P<0.05). The postoperative left ventricular ejection fraction in the MVP group was statistically higher than that before surgery (P=0.002), but there was no statistical difference in the MVR group before and after surgery (P=0.658). The left atrial diameter in the MVP group was reduced compared with the MVR group (P=0.026). The recurrence rate of mitral regurgitation in the MVP group was higher than that in the MVR group, and the difference was statistically significant (10.0% vs. 1.5%, P=0.003). There were 14 deaths in the MVP group and 19 in the MVR group. The cumulative survival rate (P=0.605) and cardiovascular events-free survival rate (P=0.875) were not statistically significant between the two groups by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Conclusion The safety, and mid- and long-term clinical efficacy of MVP in the treatment of FMR patients are better than MVR, and the left atrial and left ventricular diameters are statistically reduced, and cardiac function is statistically improved. However, the surgeon needs to be well aware of the indications for the MVP procedure to reduce the rate of mitral regurgitation recurrence.
6.Application and development of pulsed electric field ablation in the treatment of atrial fibrillation
Zhen WANG ; Ming LIANG ; Jie ZHANG ; Jingyang SUN ; Yaling HAN
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):270-276
With the continuous development of China's aging society and the prevalence of unhealthy lifestyles, the incidence of cardiovascular disease in China has been increasing in recent years. Among them, atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia disease. In recent years, pulsed field ablation (PFA) has been continuously applied to AF treatment as a novel treatment. This paper first introduces the principle of PFA applied to AF treatment, and introduces the research progress of PFA in different directions, such as the comparison of different ablation methods, the study of physical parameters, the study of ablation area, the study of tissue specificity and clinical research. Then, the clinical prior research of PFA is discussed, including the use of simulation software to obtain the simulation effect of different parameters, the evaluation of ablation effect during animal research, and finally the current AF treatment. Various prior studies and clinical studies are summarized, and suggestions are made for the shortcomings found in the study of AF treatment and the future research direction is prospected.
7.Vitamin D Attenuates Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Murine Model
Sook In CHUNG ; Lin LIANG ; Heejae HAN ; Kyung Hee PARK ; Jae-Hyun LEE ; Jung-Won PARK
Yonsei Medical Journal 2025;66(2):75-86
Purpose:
Obesity and metabolic syndrome are acknowledged as key factors contributing to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Vitamin D (VitD) is a multifaceted secosteroid hormone known for its anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory properties, with its deficiency often linked to obesity. Our study aimed to investigate whether VitD supplementation could mitigate the liver pathology associated with NAFLD.
Materials and Methods:
The NAFLD model was developed by subjecting male C57BL/6 mice to a high-fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks.These mice were supplemented with VitD through intraperitoneal injection at a dosage of 7 μg/kg, administered three times per week for 7 weeks.
Results:
HFD resulted in VitD deficiency, insulin resistance, and increased liver weight. It elevated serum levels of liver aminotransferases and triglyceride, ultimately leading to steatohepatitis with fibrosis. This model exhibited increased levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, pro-inflammatory cytokines, HNF4α transcription factors, reactive oxygen species (ROS), renin-angiotensin system activity, and epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) within the liver. Supplementation with VitD resulted in the recovery of liver weight, improvement in histologic features associated with steatohepatitis, and reduction in alanine aminotransferases and triglyceride levels induced by the HFD. Additionally, it mitigated the HFD-induced over-expressions of TGF-β1 and fibrosis-related genes, along with pro-inflammatory cytokines and ROS. Notably, no adverse effect was found due to VitD supplementation in this model.
Conclusion
VitD ameliorates steatohepatitis within obesity-induced NAFLD through its multifaceted pathways. VitD supplementation emerges as a potentially safe, cost-effective, and direct treatment approach for NAFLD patients dealing with obesity or metabolic dysfunction.
8.Status Analysis of Acupoint Selection and Stimulation Parameters Application for Acupuncture Treatment of Functional Dyspepsia
Siyi ZHENG ; Han ZHANG ; Yang YU ; Chuanlong ZHOU ; Yan SHI ; Xiaohu YIN ; Shouhai HONG ; Na NIE ; Jianqiao FANG ; Yi LIANG
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2025;66(12):1293-1299
Based on commonly used acupoints in the clinical acupuncture treatment of functional dyspepsia (FD), this study systematically analyzes the therapeutic differences and synergistic effects between local and distal point selection. It also examines the suitability of primary acupoint selection for different FD subtypes, postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) and epigastric pain syndrome (EPS). The findings suggest that a combination of local and distal acupoints may be more appropriate as primary points for PDS, whereas local acupoints alone may be more suitable for EPS. Additionally, the study explores the impact of various factors, such as stimulation techniques, needling order, intensity or stimulation parameters, and depth, on the efficacy of acupuncture. It concludes that the intrinsic properties of acupoints are the primary determinants of therapeutic direction. Other factors mainly influence the magnitude rather than the direction of the effect. Future research may further investigate how different acupoint combinations, local versus distal, affect the treatment outcomes of FD subtypes, providing new insights for clinical acupuncture prescriptions.
9.Application of machine learning in the restoration of dentition defects
Xinxi YUAN ; Yekang XIA ; Han WANG ; Jian HU ; Laikui LIU ; Weiwei LIANG
STOMATOLOGY 2025;45(9):707-712,720
Machine learning,as a core branch of artificial intelligence,has gradually demonstrated significant potential in the field of dentition defect repair in recent years.By employing techniques such as data mining and pattern recognition,machine learning has been applied in various aspects including oral implant restoration,fixed bridge design,and fabrication of removable partial dentures.This paper seeks to provide a comprehensive review of machine learning applications within the aforementioned three aspects.It endeavors to assess the current developmental landscape and chart a course for future investigative endeavors,in hopes of offering a reference for re-search on machine learning in prosthodontics.
10.The influence of individual,family and environmental factors on physical activity in overweight and obese children
Lin ZHOU ; Yuxiu HE ; Wei HAN ; Guifang LIU ; Wei LIANG
Chinese Journal of Sports Medicine 2025;44(9):704-716
Objective To explore the influencing factors of physical activity(PA)in overweight and obese children from the individual,family and environment levels.Methods Using a stratified cluster random sampling method,315 children[mean age:9.57±1.45 years;201 boys(63.8%)and 114 girls(36.2%)]were selected from two classes of every grade of one public elementary school in the four main urban districts of Shijiazhuang.Hierarchical linear regression models were employed to ana-lyze the influence of 20 factors on individual,family and environment levels on PA among them.Re-sults Children's age(β=-0.02),sex(βmale=0.12),sedentary time(β=-0.07),ball skills(β=0.12),perceived motor competence(β=0.18),primary caregiver's PA(β=0.17),parental PA support(β=0.10)and home/neighborhood PA environment(β=0.40)were significant factors of their moderate-to-vigorous physical activities(P<0.05).For light physical activity(LPA)and total PA,only sedentary time(βLPA=-0.57,βtotal=-0.52),parental support for children's PA(βLPA=0.15,βtotal=0.16),and home/neighborhood PA environment(βLPA=0.17,βtotal=0.15)were significant predictors(Pall<0.05).Conclusion The influencing factors of PA among overweight and obese children are complex and multidimensional.Elements at the individual,family and environment levels all play significant roles.Therefore,future interventions and policies aimed at promoting PA in this population should take these multifaceted de-terminants into consideration.

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